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Results tagged ‘ Heath Bell ’

General manager Tony Reagins said the Angels came up empty in their efforts to make a non-waiver Trade Deadline deal when they were unable to match up with other clubs.

Reagins was not specific about which clubs he was talking with, but reports indicated that the Angels made concerted efforts to acquire Roy Halladay from the Blue Jays and Heath Bell from the Padres.

“It really came down to not being the best fit for either party,” Reagins said. “We had a comfort level that we could go in certain situations and were willing to be aggressive. [Owner] Arte Moreno gave us no restraints. We went in with the idea of improving the club. A lot of effort was put into the process. From that standpoint, you move forward. We have business to take care of. Our focus is on Minnesota tonight. Our 25 guys have a comfort level they are going to be here for the rest of the year.”

There was one report that the Angels were close to a last-minute deal for Halladay, but Reagins would not confirm that. The Jays reportedly wanted shortstop Erick Aybar, infielder Brandon Wood, starter Joe Saunders and a prime prospect.

“Utimately, you have to find a match,” Reagins said. “You may offer talented players, but if the deal doesn’t fit for both parties . . . that’s the situation we were in. From a personnel standpoint, we made proposals that were very competitive and made sense. But the other side has to feel they made sense as well.”

Barring some last-minute wheeling and dealing, the Marlins are not expected to swing a trade by the 4 p.m. ET deadline.

A source told MLB.com that the Marlins were not expected to complete a trade by the non-waiver deadline.

Florida had been talking with the Nationals about first baseman Nick Johnson. A possible deal would have included Triple-A right-hander Ryan Tucker. When the Nationals also sought Double-A Jacksonville lefty Aaron Thompson, the deal fell through.

Earlier on Friday, the Marlins ended their pursuit of Padres closer Heath Bell. The asking price was either Sean West or Andrew Miller.

With less than an hour before the 4 p.m. ET trade deadline it’s looking more and more like San Diego first baseman Adrian Gonzalez might be staying put.

The Red Sox have moved on, trading for Cleveland catcher Victor Martinez for some players who might have been in the Gonzalez deal had their been one.

FOXSports is reporting the Dodgers might have interest in Gonzalez and/or Bell, though Bell might be the easier piece to move.

The Angels, who have some players who intrigue the Padres — possibly second baseman Howie Kendrick — could be another fit for Bell.

A week ago, Padres general manager Kevin Towers said that if nothing got done this week he would have a better idea of what he might get in return for Gonzalez and Bell if the team should decide to move either player in the off-season.

From all the reports out there, it sounds like Towers asked for the moon for Gonzalez and Bell, two players he doesn’t have to move by any means.

We’ll know more in less than an hour, but don’t be surprised if Gonzalez stays put. The same could be said for Bell, though the team could move the All-Star closer a lot easier.

Speculation among players inside the Marlins’ clubhouse on Thursday had Adrian Gonzalez possibly coming to Florida as part of a blockbuster trade.

By early evening, reports surfaced that the Marlins were pursuing Nick Johnson.

The common theme in both possible trade scenarios is the Marlins are looking for a left-handed hitting, strong fielding first baseman. It also didn’t go unnoticed that Jorge Cantu was taking ground balls at third base before the Marlins played the Braves on Thursday night.

Cantu, who was Florida’s third baseman last year, has played exclusively at first base this season.

As of Friday morning, it appears the Marlins no longer are in the bidding for Padres closer Heath Bell. MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo has learned the Marlins are out of the bidding for the hard-throwing right-hander.

The Marlins are inquiring about a number of possible trades before Friday’s 4 p.m. ET non-waiver trade deadline. Chances are about 50/50 that something gets done.

Johnson appears to be the most realistic option. The Marlins are believed to be willing to trade either Ryan Tucker or Aaron Thompson to the Nationals. Both pitchers were first round picks in 2005.

It’s a matter of whether the Nationals would agree on the players in return to complete the deal.

Tucker, a hard-throwing right-hander, is at Triple-A New Orleans. Thompson, a lefty, is at Double-A Jacksonville.

The asking price for Gonzalez is higher. San Diego reportedly is seeking top prospect Mike Stanton and Cameron Maybin. Another rumored trade on Thursday had the Padres seeking Stanton, Maybin and pitcher Andrew Miller for Gonzalez and Bell.

Stanton, 19, is a 6-foot-5 right fielder regarded as one of the top overall prospects in baseball. A National League scout on Thursday said Stanton is another Dave Winfield, and he regards him as one of the top five prospects in all of baseball.

That scout added he wouldn’t trade Stanton. The Marlins don’t seem to be interested in moving Stanton at any cost. His name also came up in an inquiry for Toronto ace Roy Halladay.

MIAMI — The list of teams inquiring about Padres closer Heath Bell is long. But, according to reports, none of those teams have been as aggressive as the Marlins.

FOXSports.com and ESPN.com reported Wednesday that more than 10 teams have inquired about Bell, but Florida has been on the hottest pursuit. According to FOXSports.com, however, San Diego would want one of the Marlins’ top pitching prospects, lefties Sean West or Andrew Miller, as the centerpiece of a multi-player package.

Whether or not the front office would part ways with either of those two arms is unknown, but Florida’s farm system is deep enough in prospects to sway any general manager.

Why Bell would pique the Marlins’ interest is easy: He fills a dire need in the back end of their bullpen, is 31 years old and under club control for the next two years, and the low-payroll Marlins would only have to pay a pro-rated chunk of his $1.255 million contract — which amounts to about $400,000.

The Marlins have been using Leo Nunez to close out games with Matt Lindstrom on the disabled list with right shoulder inflammation. Lindstrom, the team’s closer at the start of the season, is expected back by this weekend.

In 38 appearances this season Bell, a right-hander, sports a 2.01 ERA and has converted 25 of his 26 saves. In six seasons in the big leagues, Bell sports a career 3.38 ERA. This is his first year as a team’s full-time closer.

WASHINGTON – Padres general manager Kevin Towers said he is getting a “ton of calls” from other teams regarding the availability of Adrian Gonzalez and Heath Bell, though he’s still opposed to making a deal involving either player.

Towers is a never-say-never kind of guy, which means he won’t come out and simply state that the Padres won’t deal Gonzalez or Bell, but at this point he’s not inclined to move his first baseman and closer as the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline nears.

“You’re always need to listen, but it would have to be the right deal,” Towers said.

Towers wouldn’t go into specifics but stated that he’s held conversations with several opposing general managers in recent weeks about the two All-Stars. Unless Towers is floored by a proposal, Gonzalez and Bell aren’t going anywhere.

“I’m actually getting more calls on Heath than Adrian,” Towers said. “That’s because most clubs are looking for strength in the bullpen.”

Towers said the conversations he’s had with other teams could prove valuable if during the offseason the Padres reconsider moving Gonzalez or Bell.

“If nothing happens, it’s useful in the offseason,” Towers said.

The Padres, who have already traded outfielder Scott Hairston and reliever Cla Meredith this month, might still make a deal or two before July 31.

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